Screw-down control system



Oct. 5, 1937. p, TAUGHER 2,094,973

SCREW-DOWN CONTROL SYSTEM Filed Feb. 14, 1934 8 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR Frank P 721191 267.

3 ATTOgEY Oct. 5-, 1937. F. P. TAUGHER SCREW-DOWN CONTROL SYSTEM 8 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Feb. 14, 1934 r h y w a MT P w m Oct. 5. 1937. F. P. TAUGHER DOWN CONTROL SYSTEM SCREW- Filed Feb. 14. 1954 8 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR Fr'qnk P Taug/zer.

WITNESSES Oct. 5, 1937. F. P. TAUGHER SCREW-DOWN CONTROL SYSTEM Filed Feb. 14, 1934 8 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR WITNESSES:

M m T n m F ATTO EY Oct. 5, 1937. F. P. TAUGHER SCREW-DOWN CONTROL SYSTEM Filed Feb. 14, 1934 '8 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR Frank P vThug/75v".

WIT ESS 7 TTOR Y Oct. 5, 1937. F. P. TAUGHER 2,094,973

SCREW-DOWN CONTROL SYSTEM Filed Feb. 14, 1934 8 Sheets-Sheet 7 To Screw Down Motor 07 57020 Speed 17p orDqwn Transfer Down Tmnq'er Dawn Dawn

WITNESSES: INVENTOR 44 Frank P Taug/zer.

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Patented Oct. 5, 1931 SCREW-DOWN CONTROL SYSTEM -Frank P. Taugher, Forest Hills, Pa., assignor to Westinghouse Electric & Manufacturing Company, East Pittsburgh, Pa., a corporation of Pennsylvania Application February 14, 1934, Serial No. 711,179

9 Claims.

My invention relates generally to control systems and apparatus and it has particular'relation to such systems as are employed in the operation of steel mills.

The object of my invention, generally stated, is the provision of a screw-down control system and apparatus for steel mills which shall be simple, accurate and eiiicient in operation and readily and economically manufactured and installed.

The principal object of my invention is to provide'for manually presetting the opening between the rolls of a steel rolling mill and for thereafter automatically adjusting the rolls to the preset position. 1

Another object of my invention is to reduce to a minimum the size of the limit switch required to control the screw-down motors of a rolling mill.

Other objects of my invention will, in part, be obvious and, in part appear hereinafter.

My invention, accordingly, is. disclosed in the embodiment hereof-shown in the accompanyin drawings, and comprises the features of construction, combination of elements and arrangement of parts which will be exemplified in the construction hereinafter set forth, and the scope of the application of which will be indicated in the appended claims.

For a more complete understanding of the nature and scope of my invention, reference may be had to the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a general schematic view of a steel rolling mill showing in a general way how the system and apparatus embodying the principal features of the invention may be applied in practice.

Fig. 2 is a plan view of the dial mechanism and driving motor used in practicing the invention.

Fig. 31s a view, in side elevation, of the apparatus illustrated in Fig. 2.

, Fig. 4 is an enlarged view, partly. in section and partly in side elevation, of the dial mechanism shown in Figs. 2 and 3, certain parts being broken away to more clearly illustrate the construction.

Fig. 5 is a plan view of the driven motor and limit switch constituting parts of this invention.

Fig. 6 is a view, in side elevation, of the apparatus illustrated in Fig. 5.

Fig. '7 is an enlarged plan view of the limit switch shown in Figs. 5 and 6, the cover being removed.

Fig. 8 is a sectional view taken along the line VIII--VIII of Fig. I.

Fig. 9 is a view taken along the line IXIX of Fig. 8.

Fig. 10 is a diagrammatic view of the drum development of the limit switch.

Fig. 11 is a diagrammatic view of the'main power circuits for the screw-down motors, and

Fig. 12 is a diagrammatic view of the system employed for controlling the screw-down motors in accordance with the present invention.

In order to briefly set forth the novel features and functioning of the invention, a short general description thereof will be given which will be followed by a detailed description of the structural features and the operation of a preferred embodiment of the invention.

In order to adjust the rolls of a blooming mill to any desired opening therebetween, screw-down motors are provided for operating thescrewdown mechanism. It is desirable to adjust the opening between the rolls with a considerable degree of accuracy and, therefore, it is essential that the motorsdrivlng the screw-down mechanisms be disconnected from the source of ener y when the desired position is reached, and it is further essential that the entire mechanism stop at this point. It is also desirable to preset the next position of the rolls while a rolling operation is being performed and to set up circuits which will automatically initiate the movement of the movable-roll to the preset position and to stop it at the preset position within the established limits of accuracy.

While a brake mechanism can be used for stopping further movement of the screw-down mechanism at the preset position, it has been found that apparatus embodying this type of mechanism does not lend itself readily to the speed and accuracy required. In order to stop the screwdown mechanism atthe preset position according to this invention, the power to the screw-down motors is interrupted and the inherent friction of the moving parts is utilized for arresting further movement.

In the event that the movable roll is not stopped at the preset position but overshoots because of the inertia of the moving parts, the screw-down motorsare plugged and the movable roll is then moved in a reverse direction. If the roll again overshoots, the plugging opera-- tion is again repeated in the original direction.

The plugging operation may be carried out any number of times but it has been found that the movable roll is usually stopped at the preset position within the desired limits of accuracy after the screw-down motors have been plugged for two successive times. In order to increase the effectiveness of the plugging operation, various steps of shunting resistors are connected in parallel with the armatures of the screw-down motors during successive plugging operations.

In order to disconnect the screw-down motors from the source of energy at the preset position,

a limit switch is provided having positions corresponding to the range of movement of the mov-,

able roll in either an up or a down direction. I ,A single element limit switch, which would accomplish this function with the desired accuracy, would be unreasonably large for the desired range of movement of the movable roll in most instances and, therefore, a comparatively small two element limitswitch has been provided.

The limit switch comprises two drums which are geared together and are driven by one of the screw-down motors. One of the drums is a lowspeed drum and is provided with a control ring whichcorresponds'to the entire range of movement of the movable roll in either direction. The

other drum is geared to rotate at a higher rate than the low-speed drum and is also provided with a control ring which corresponds to any narrow range of movement, of the movableroll.

In addition,'the low-speed drum is provided 3 with a slow-down ring which serves to effect .the

connection of the screw-down motors from parallel-circuit relation, which is used in starting, to series-circuit relation as the preset position is approached, thereby effecting a decrease in the speed of movement of the movable roll. The low-speed drum is also provided with transfer ring which is effective to transfer the control of the screw-down motors from the control ring on the low-speed drum to the control I ring on the high speed drum as the preset position is approached.

The limit switch is preset by means of contact arms which are individual to each of the drums and are rotatable relative thereto for the purpose of bridging the various control rings to common energized rings. The contact arms are geared togetherso that the relativespeeds thereof are the same as the relative speeds of the drums.

complete the control circuits and the screw-down motors are disconnected from the source of energy. 4

Referring specifically to Fig. l 01' the .draw-' ings, a rolling mill shown generally at i5 is provided having a stationary roll I6 and a movable roll ll, both of which are mounted in a suitable roll l6 through suitable gears 20 and 2|.

frame 18.

In order to drive the roll IS a motor I9 is provided having a driving connection with the The motor I9 is supplied with power through conductors 23; As indicated, a current relay '24 is connected in the circuit supplying power to the motor l9 and is provided with break contact members 24a, the purpose of which will be hereinafter set forth.

As illustrated, the upper or movable roll I! is adjustable in the frame 18. Its movement may be controlled by means of suitably threaded screws 25 and 26 on which are provided suitable internally-threaded bevel gears 21 and 28. The bevel gears 21 and 2B aremountedin suitable brackets on the frame l8, as shown, and, when rotated, move the roller H in either an upward or downward direction depending upon the direction of rotation. I

In order to rotate the bevel gears 21 and 28, screw-down motors 29 and are provided which have driving connections with the bevel gears 21 and 28 through additional bevel gears 32 and 33.

Referring particularly to Fig. 11 of the drawings, the screw-down motors 29 and 30 are provided. respectively,.with shunt field windings N and 35, series field windings 36 and 31 and armatures 38 and 39.

In order to control the operation of the screwdown motors 29 and 30, a limitswitch, shown generally at H, is provided which has driving connection with the screw-down motor 30 through a suitable coupling and shaft assembly 42. i

The limit switchll is preset to any desired position by means of a synchronous drive unit which comprises a driven motor "and a driving motor 44 which are connected togethenby means 01 a suitable multi-conductor cable 45.

Referring particularly to-Fig. 12 of the drawings, themotors 43 and H are of the, polyphase,

wound-rotor type. Each is provided, respectively, with a wound rotor shown diagrammatically at 46 and 41' and field windings 48 and 49 which are' a suitable coupling and shaft assembly 50.

and to which power is supplied from a suitable direct current source by conductors 56 and 51. The diagram of the. electrical connections for the controller 55 is shown in detail in Figs. 11

and 12 and will be described in detail herein-' after.

In order to initiate the functioning of the control apparatus,.a master controller, shown generally at 58, is provided and connected to the controller 55 by means of conductors 59 and 6 0. I

yenient position relative to the operator of the rolling mill. It will also be understood that the controller 55 may be positioned in any suitable location and connected to. the screw-down motors 29 and 33 by means of suitable multi-conductor cables 32 and 33.

Referring now to Figs. 2, 3, and 4 of the drawings, the dial mechanism II comprises a frame 64 on which the dial 33 is rotatably mounted, by

means of a shaft 35 journa'lled In suitable bearings near the ends thereof. The shaft 331s provided with a gearwheel 33 which meshes with and is driven by a worm 31 mounted on a shaft as. The shaft 33 may be rotated by the handwheel 54 through the agency of a gear wheel 69, secured to a shaft III on which 'the handwheel 54 is mounted, and a pinion I2, which is secured to the shaft 33. I

The rotation of the hand-wheel 34 serves to rotate the dial 153 and at the same time the rotor 41 of the driving motor 44. In this instance, the dial 53 is provided with suitable graduations from to 42 which correspond to a 42 inch movement of the movable roll ll of the rolling mill II. The graduations on the. dial 33 aresuitably subdivided to indicate a movement of the movable roll ll of one-eighth of an inch. However, it will be readily understood that any other suitable calibration of the dial 33 may be provided to meet any other conditions.

Referring nowparticularly to Figs. 5, 6, 7, 8, and 9 of the drawings which show the detailed construction of the limit switch 4i, it will be observed that the iimit switch 4i comprises a suitable housing I4 over which a suitable cover 1441 may be placed.

Within the housing. 14, a drumdrive shaft is A low-speed drum, showngenerally at 3i, is rotatably mounted on the shaft II by means of a sleeve 32 at the right hand end and is secured,

- at the left-hand end, to a gear wheel 33, which is also rotatably mounted on the shaft II. The gear wheel 33 is driven through the agency of a pinion 34 which is secured to the shaft 13, gear wheel 35 and pinion v33, which are rotatably mounted on the shaft I6 and which, respectively, engage the pinion 34 and the gear wheel 33, as shown. In order to maintain the gear wheel 35 and the pinion 36 in the desired position on the shaft 13, a collar .31, secured to the shaft I3, and a spacer sleeve 33 are provided.

In addition to the low-speed drum II, a highspeed drum, shown generally at 39, is also provided which. is directly mounted on the shaft I and, therefore, it rotates at the same speed of rotation as the shaft I5. The high-speed drum 39 is secured to an insulating ring II which, in turn, is secured to a sleeve 92 that is fastened to the shaft I3 by means of pins 33.

The low-speed drum 3i is provided with contact rings 93 to 33, inclusive, with which brush members Ill to I33, inclusive, make contact, respectively, to provide connections to control rings on the low-speed drum II.

The low-speed drum II is also provided with a transfer ring I33, a slow-down ring I 31, a control ring I33 and a common ring I39. The construction and arrangement of the rings I93 to I33, inclusive, will be set forth in detail herei'nafter.

The high-speed drum 33 is provided with contact rings H3, III and III with which brush members II3, III, and III, engage respectively. As is more clearly shown in Fig. 9,0f the draw ings, the insulating plate 3i has mounted thereon a control ring shown generally at IIIi which comprises contact segments III and III that are spaced apart by means of insulating segments H9 and I23. The insulating member 9I also has mounted thereon contact segments III which are connected directly to the ring lit by means of screws I22, as illustrated.

In order to bridge the control rings I33 to I33, inclusive, for effecting the control operations. which will be described hereinafter indetail, a low-speed contact arm shown generally at I 23 in Figs. 7 and 8 is'provided. The contact arm I23 comprises suitable rollers I24 which form a single connectionand serve to bridge the rings I 06 to I33, as illustrated. The contact arm I23 is mounted on a suitable insulating member I23 which, in turn, is mounted on a gear wheel I23. The gear wheel I23 is rotatably mounted on the shaft II and is driven by means of a pinion I21 which is secured to the shaft I6 and rotates therewith.

With a view to bridging the control ring H3 and the contact segments I2I carried by the insulating member 3i on the high speed drum 39, a high-speed contact arm, shown generally at I 23, is provided. The contact arm I 23 comprises a roller I23 which is rotatably mounted on a suitable frame I33 by means of a pin I3 I. The frame I33, is pivotally mounted on an insulating member I32 which is mounted on a sleeve I33. The roller I23 is maintained in engagement with the control ring H3 and the contact segments I II by means of a suitable compression spring I34 mounted between the frame I33 and the insulating member I32, as shown.-

The sleeve I33 is secured to a pinion 135 which, as illustrated, is rotatably mounted on the shaft I3. The pinion I3! is driven by means of a gear wheel I33 which is secured to the shaft I3.

In view of the foregoing it will be apparent that the limit switch 4| is provided with a lowspeed drum 3i and a high-speed drum 39 which are driven by means of the screw-down motor 39 to rotate at different rates. The ratio of these ratesv is fixed by the gearing through which the drums are connected together and to the shaft I5. More will be said about this ratio as the description proceeds. It will also be observed that a low-speed contact arm I23 and a high speed contact arm I 23 are provided which are rotated by means of the driven motor 43 a from the shaftv 13 and that these arms have a definite ratio of rates of rotation which is identical with the ratio of the rates of rotation of the drums 3i and 33.

For a more complete understanding of the construction and operation of the limit switch 4I, reference should be made to Fig. 10 of the V drawings. In this figure adrum development of the low-speed drum 3i and the high-speed drum 39 is shown. It will be observed that the sleeve 32, shown in Fig. 8,- is illustrated as a hollow shaft rotatable about the shaft vI! andfcarrying the rings as to a, nclusive, and m to wa mclusive, which are rotated by means of the I wheel 83 from the shaft I5, as set forth hereinbefore. It will also be. observed that the rings IIO," III, H2, and H8 are illustrated as being 'directly mounted on the shaft I and rotatable 5 therewith.

I The low-speed contact arm I28 is illustrated as being connected directly to the gear wheel I28 which is driven by means of the shaft 18, as described hereinbefore. The high speed contact 1D arm I28 is illustrated as being directly connected to the piniori I35 which is also driven from the shaft I8.

It will be understood that the low-speed drum 8| and the high-speed drum 88 are rotatable'on the rotationof the shaft I5 which, in turn, is rotated in accordance with the rotation of the screw-down motor 30.

The low-speed contactarm I23 and the high- .speed contact arm I28 are rotatable in accordance with the rotation of the shaft 18 which is driven-by means of the driven motor 43 which, in turn, is controlled by means of the driving motor .44 as adjusted by the dial mechanism 5|. It will be understood in the drum development that the left-hand ends of the control and contact rings and the-right-hand ends of these rings are identical, the rings being split and shown in a flattened position in the conventional manner. Therefore, whatever insulating members are il- 30 lustrated as being on the left-hand ends of the rings are continued on the right-hand ends thereof and will be given the same reference character as in the previous figures of the drawings.

Referring specifically tothe low-speed -drum 8I, the rings 85 to 88 inclusive, and I08 are continuous contact segments which extend around the entire periphery of the drum 8|. The rings 85. to 88, inclusive, serve merely to connect the 40 various control circuits to the contact segments of the rings I08 to I08, inclusive, as will be hereinafter set forth, through the brush members I 0| to I05, inclusive, while the ring I08 serves as a common ring which is bridged to the control rings I08, I01, and I08 by means of the contact arm I23.

The control ring I08 comprises contact segments I38 and I38 which are spaced apart by means of insulating segments I40 and HI. The length of the contact segments I38 and I38 corresponds to the entire range of movement of the movable roll I! or to the numberof revolutions of the screw-down motor 30 which it is necessary to take in either direction to accomplish the 5 movement of the roll Il between the extreme positions. f

The contact arm I23 serves to maintain the motors 28 and 30 energized as long as it is in engagement with the common ring I08 and either 60 of the contact segmentsi38 or I38 of the control ring I08. 'If no further control apparatus were provided, the screw-down motors 28 and 3.0 would be de-energisecl when the contact arm I23 was caused to engagev the insulating segment I 4|.

. As set forth hereinbefore, in order to stop the roll .II within the required limits of accuracy it would benecessary to increase the size of the control ring I08 beyond practical limits in order to I88 at any position where it is desired to stop the movable roll II.

In addition to the control ring I08, the slow- .speed ring I0] is provided which comprises contact segments I42 and I43 which are spaced apart 5 by means of insulating segments I44. and I45. The contact segments I42 and I43 are connected together by means of a conductor I48.

It willv be observed that thecontact segments I42 and I43 are shorter than'the corresponding 1 segments I38 and I38 of the control ring I08. This relative difference in their lengths is providedin order to permit the slow-down operation to be effected at some time prior to the movement of the contact arm I23 to the insulating segment 15 I of the control ring I08.

The low-speed drum 8| is also provided with the transfer ring I08-comprising a contact segment I41 and an insulating segment I48. It will be observed that the contact segment I" is 20 slightly longer than the insulating segment I of the control ring I08. This relatively greater length is provided in order to initiate the func-. tioning of the transfer system prior to the time when the contact arm I23 engages the'insulating 20 segment I.

The various contact segments of the rings I08, I01 and I08 andthe common ring I08 are connected to the rings 85 to 88, inclusive, by means of suitable conductors, as illustrated.

curacy in stopping the roll I! at the desired, posi- 40 tion. The contact arm I28 serves to connect either of the contact segments II! or M8 to the segments I2I of the common ring IIO. v

As illustrated, suitable conductors are provided for connecting the segments Ill and H8 of the 45 corresponding rings III and H2.

While the common ring IIO on the high-speed drum 88 is illustrated as being provided with the same insulating segments I I8 and I20 as are provided for the ring I I8, it will be obvious that they 50 may be omitted, but in this embodiment of the invention they are utilized for structural reasons. v

As set forth hereinbefore, the length of the contact segments I38 and I38, on the control ring I08 of the low-speed drum 82, corresponds to the entire range of movement of the movable roll II.

In like manner, the length of either of the con-' tact segments III and H8 corresponds to any small portion of that movement, on which portion depends the setting of the contact arms I23 and I28. Thus, at the position at which it is desired to stop the roll II, the available travelof the contact member I23 is greatly magnified by means of the high speed drum 88 and a very accurate setting of the roll I! is obtained. I

In order to understand more fully how the screw-down motors 28 and 30 are controlled to effect the movement of the roll I? and its stopping at the desired position, reference should now be had to the diagram shown in Figs. 11 and 12 of the drawings. In Fig. 11, the circuits utilized for connecting the screw-down motors 28 and 30 to the source of. energy, which is represented by means of conductors 56 and 51, are shown. The various switchesand relays used are illustrated with energizing coils and auxiliary contact members, the connections for which are shown in detail in Fig. 12.

As illustrated, the conductors 59 and 91 are connected by means of. switches I59 and II to energize conductors I52 and I59. The screwdown motors 29 and 99 may be connected to the conductors I52 and I59 and their direction of operation determined by means of line switches I59 and I55 and reversing switches I59 to I99, inclusive, in a well known manner.

In order to accelerate the screw-down motors.

the controls from the low-speed drum H to the high-speed drum 99, a series connecting switch III is provided which functions to connect the motors in series-circuit relation on de-energilation of line switches I59 and I55, as will be described more in detail hereinaften In order to obtain a further decrease in. the speed of the screw-down motors 29 and 99, shunting resistors I12 and I19 are provided which are connected by means of shunting switches I19, I15, I16, and I11 to shunt the armatures 99 and 99 of the motors 29 and 99, respectively.

In order to avoid complication, the same numerals are applied to Fig. 12 to the windings of the switches I59 to I99, "I and I19 to I11, In-

clusive, as were applied to these switches in Fig.

11. The auxiliary contact members of these switches which appear in Fig. 12 of the drawings will be designated by the same character as is applied to the switches in Fig. 11 together with a subscript to indicate the switch with which they are associated.

In Fig. 12 of the drawings, the control or limit switch 9| is illustrated diagrammatically; the various contact.rings which serve to connect the control circuits to the contact segments being omitted for the sake of clearness.

In order to initiate the function of the system and to avoid the necessity for the operator to hold the master control switch 59 closed until the contact members 29a of the current relay 29 have been closed, a master control relay I19 isprovided which is arranged to control the operation of an "up" master control relay I19 or down" master control relay I99 depending upon the setting of the limit switch 9I.

As set forth hereinbefore, there is a tender: for the screw-down motors 29 and 99 to overshoot the desired position and they are, therefore, plugged and reversed to operate in an opposite direction. In order to avoid the possibility of this plugging operation being continued in-' definitely, two counting relay chains are pro vided which are controlled by an up countingchain master relay I9I and a "down countinga chain master relay I92, either of which may be energized depending upon the direction in which it is desired to move the roll I1.- The up" counting relay chain comprises relays I99, I99, and I99 while the down" counting relay chain comprises relays I99, I91, and I99. The relays in each chain are arranged to be successively energised and to finally operate disconnecting relays I99 and I99 to prevent the further energization of relays I19 and I99 after a predetermined number of plugging operations have been effected.

In order to de-energize the entire control system a predetermined time after the last plugging operation, a time limit relay I92 is provided. This relay is of the type illustrated in Patent No. 1,753,983 to W. G. Cook and assigned to the Westinghouse Electric & Manufacturing Company.

The time limit relay I 92 is provided with a neutralizing winding I99 which is connected in series circuit relation with a'resistor I99 to conductors I99 and I99 which, in turn, are connected by means of knife switches I91 and I99 to the energized conductors 59 and 51. t ming of relay I92 may be adjusted by means of the adjusting screw I99 or by means of a variable resistor 299 which is connected in series circuit relation with the main winding I99, as illustrated.

As set forth hereinbefore, the contact segment I91 of the transfer ring I99 is engaged by means of the low-speed contact arm I29 thereby causing the energization of a transfer relay 29I which functions to transfer the control from the contact segments I99 and I99 of the control ring I99 on the low-speed drum 9I to the contact segments "-1 and H9 of the control ring II9 on the high-speed drum 99.

In order to describe in detail the functioning of the invention, it will be assumed that the dial mechanism 9| has been set to the position indicated in Fig. 12 of the drawings and that the contact arms I29 and I29 have been .set to the positions illustrated by the dotted lines shown in connection with the diagrammatic representation of the limit switch 9| in this figure of the I drawings. It will then be observed that the contact segments I99, I99, and I99 are bridged by the contact arm I29 while the contact segments III and H9 are bridged by the high-speed contact arm I29. However, the bridging of the contact members H9 and H9 serves no function at this time for the reason that the transfer relay III is not energized.

After the operator has set the dial mechanism 9| to correspond to the desired opening between the rolls I9 and I1, he depresses the master control switch 99 thereby energizing the master control relay I19.

The circuit for energizing relay I19 may be traced from the energized conductor I99 through conductor 99,contact members 99a of the master? switch 99, conductor 99, winding of relay I19, conductor 299, closed contact members I19a of relay I19, conductor 299*, closed contact members I99a of relay I99 and conductor 299 to the energized conductor I99.

The energization of master control relay I19 completes a circuit for shunting the contact members 99a of the master control switch 99 which may be traced from the energized conductor I99 'throughconducto'r 299, contact members I199 of relay l19 and conductor 291 to theconductor 99.

The energimtion .of master control relay I19 causes the energization of the down" master. control relay I99 which corresponds to the direction in which it is'desired tomove the roll I1 as preset on the limit switch M.

The circuit for energizing relay I99 may be traced from the energized conductor I99 through conductor 299, contact members I190 of relay I19, conductors 299 and 2I9, winding of relay I99, closed contact members I990 of relay I99, con- The ' clusive, may be traced from the energized conclosed, the line switches I54 and I55, together traced from the previously energized conductor circuit for itself which may be traced from the ductor 2| I, contact segment I39, low-speed conthe energization of time limit relay I92 serves no tact arm on a t i 09. Conductor other purpose for the reason that the contact closed contact members 2411 of current relay 24 members I560. of'the line relay I55 are moved to to the energized conductor I95. the open position.

' It will be understood that this circuit will not The circuit for energizing relay I86 may be be p ted untilthe clo ur o Contact members traced from the energized conductor 299, through 2411 which is eilected after the billet has passed conductor 223, contact members I82a of relay through the rolls I6 and VI] and the current re- I I92, conductor 224, winding of relay I86, contact q e r driving the motor I9 has been reduced members I 860. thereof, conductor 225 and closed to the Value which p rmits the contacts 24a of the contact members I6 lb of reversing switch I6I to current relay 24 to close.

ss that the contact members 24a are lay I86 completes aholding circuit for itself-which may-be traced from the energized conductor I95 through conductors 229 and 226 throughcontact members I86b to the winding of the relay I86.

The system continues to operate as described,

with the reversing switches I69 to I63, inclusive, will be energized thereby connecting the screwdown motors 29 and39 in parallel circuit relation to the energized conductors I52 and I53 through their respective accelerating resistors I 65 and I 66. The energization oi the motors 29 and 39 in this manner initiates the movement of the roll I1 in a. downward direction and at the same time causes the rotation of the drums 8I and 89 of the limit switch M. .The accelerating switches I61 to I19 inclusive are energized in the customary manner to connect the motors directly to the line.

The circuit for energizing the line switches I54 and I65 and the reversing switches I69 to I63, in-

circuit relation and driving the roll I 1 downwardly at -full speed and at the same time rotating the drums 8| and 89 of the master'control switch M to the right. i

As soon as the low-speed drum 8| is rotated to such a-position that the contact arm I23 no longer bridges the contact segment I43 and the ring I 99, the line switches I54 and I55 are tie-energized and the series connecting switch "I is energized. The motors 29 and 39 are then connected in series circuit relation and their speed is correspondingly reduced. I

At the same time that the switch "I isenergized in response to the closure of the contact members I55a of the line switch I55, the shunting switches I14 and I15 are energized over an obvioua circuit',and thereby cause the connection of the shunting resistors I12'and I13 in parallel circuit relation with the armatures' 38 ductor I96 through conductor 2I4, contact members I89B of relay I89, conductor 2 I 5 to the windings of the aforesaid switches thence, respectively, to contact segments I43 and I39 which are bridged by the low-speed,contact arm I23 to ring 1 I99, conductor 2I2 and contact members 24a of current relay 24 to the energized conductor I95. The energization of relay I89 also causes .the

h rgization oi the down"counting-chain master and 39, respectively, and, as a result, cause the relay I82 and subsequently the energization of relay I86 0! the "down counting chain to set up circuits whichprevent the plugging of the motors 29 and 39 more than a predetermined number of times. The circuit for energizing relay I82 may be screw-down motors 29 and 39 to further decrease their speed, I

The continued rotation of the low-speed drum 8| brings the segment I41 of the transfer ring thereby causing the energization of the transfer trols from the segments I38 and I39 of the control ring I98 on the low-speed drum 8| to the segments 1 and H8 01 the-control ring II6 on the high-speed drum 89. r

The circuit for energizing relay 29I may be traced from the energized conductor 299 through conductor 233, winding of relayr29l'; contact segment I41, contact arm I23, ring I99, conductor 2I2 and contact members 24a of current relay 24 to the energized conductor I95.

The energization of the transfer relay 29I connects the segments I38 and I39-to the segments H1 and H8, respectively, and thereby permits the control of the energization of switches I56 to I63, inclusive, in accordance with the movement of the high-speed drum 89.

The continued movement of the high-speed 299through conductor 2I6,-winding of relay I82, conductor 2", closed contact members I8Ic of re1afyI8I, conductor-t 2I8, contact members I890 of relay I89 and conductors 2I9 and 229 to the energized conductor I95.

It will be observed that the energization of relay I82 opens the circuit tothe winding of relay I8I. and prevents its energization, while relay I82 remains energized. It will also be ob served that the relay I82 completes a holding energized conductor 2I9, through contact members I82b of relay I 82 and conductor 22I to the conductor 2". I

The energization of the reversing switch I6I, which is energized with the remaining switches I69, I62 and I63 to'move the roll I1 in adownward direction, causes the auxiliary contact members I6Ib to close, thereby completing the circuit for energizing the counting chain relay I86.

At the same time the contact members I6 Ia of switch I6I are opened thereby removing the short-circuit from the main winding I99 01' the time limit relay I92 and permitting it to energize. The operation of time limit relay I92 serves to connect the conductor 299 directly to the energized conductor I96 through the contact members 222 thereby rendering ineffective the deenergization of the master control relay I18 which is de-energized on the energization of the down master control relay I89. At this time I 28 to disengage from the contact segment II8, thereby permitting the de-energization of the reversing switches I69 to I63 and also the deenergization of the "down master control relay I99.

opened and the contact members I6I a are closed. However, due to the holding circuit for relay I86 which has been previously traced, this relay remains energized and as a result of the timing contact members 222 do not open until after the time for which it has been set.

the energized conductor I95. On closure, the re-' relay 29I and the subsequent transfer of thecon drum finally causes the high-speed contact armwith the motors 29 and 39v connected in parallel I99 into' engagement with the contact arm I23,

At this time the contact members I6Ib are characteristics of the time limit relay I92, its

As set forth hereinbefore, the roll I1 tends to set and, therefore, the contact segment II1 oi the control ring H6 and the ring H8 on the high-speed drum 89 are bridged by the highspeed contact arm I28 to effect the energization of reversing switches I56 to I59, inclusive, to plug the motors 29 and 38 and cause the movement of the roll I1 in an upward direction. The energization of the reversing switches i 56 to I59, in-

clusive, is eifectedrby the energlzation of the up master control relay I19.

The circuit for energizing relay I19 may be traced from the energized conductor 289 through conductor 221, winding of relay I19, contact members I98a of relay I 98, conductors 228 and 229, contact members mm of relay 28I, contact segment II1, high-speed contact arm I28, ring H8 and conductor 238 to the energized conductor I95.

The circuit for energizing the relays I56 through I59 may be traced from the energized conductor I96 through conductor 23 I, contact members I19b of relay I19, conductors 232 and 2I5 to the windings of the aforesaid relays which are connected in series circuit relation, conductor 229 and thence to the energized conductor I over a circuit which has previously been traced.

The energization of switch I56 opens the contact members I 56a and thereby prevents the further operation of the timing cycle of the time limit relay I92 to open the contact members 222.

The closure of switch I56 also closes the contact members I56b thereby serving to energize the second relay I81 in the down counting chain,

The circuit for energizing relay I81 may be traced from the previously energized conductor 224 through the winding of relay I83, contact members 181a, conductor 234, contact members I960 of relay I86 which have previously been closed, conductors 235 and 236 and contact mem bers I561) to the energized conductor I95. The energization of relay I81 completes a holding circuit for itself which may be traced from the energized conductor I95 through conductors 228 and 231 and contact members I812; of relay I81 to the winding of this relay.

The reverse rotation of the drums 6! and 89 of the limit switch M, as the roll I1 is moved in an upward direction because of the plugging action of the motors 29 and 38, causes the highspeed contact arm I28 to disengage the contact segment II1, thereby effecting the de-energization of the reversing switches I56 to I59 inclusive and of the up master control relay I19..-

In the event that the inertia of the system is not such as to cause the contact segment I I8 to again engage the high-speed contact arm I28 for a time sufficient to permit the cle-energization of the time limit relay I92, no further operation will take place However, assuming that the main winding I99 oi the time limit relay I92 is not de-energized for a sufiiciently long period of time by being short circuited by means of the contact members I56a and I6 la, the contact segment I I8 is again caused to engage the high-speed contact arm I28 and the reversing switches I68 to I63, inclusive are again energized and the contact members I6Ia are opened.

The second encrgization of the reversing switches I68 to I63, inclusive, is effected on the energization of the down'master control relay I88 a second time over a circuit which may be traced from the energized conductor 289 through conductor 2I8, winding of relay I88, contact members I89a of relay I89, conductor 2H, contact members 28Ib of relay 28I, contact segment H8, high-speed contact arm I28, ring III! and conductor 238 to the energized conductor I95.

The reversing switches I68 to I63, inclusive are energized over a circuit which has previously been traced in combination with the circuit through the transfer relay 28I which also has been traced and the motors 29 and 38 are again plugged to cause them to rotate in a direction to move the roll I1 again in a downward direction.

The second energization of switch I6I causes the contact members I6Ib to again close, thereby completing a circuitfor energizing the third relay I88 of the down" counting chain.

The circuit for energizing relay I88 may be traced from the energized conductor 224 through winding of relay I88, contact members I88a, conductor 238, contact members I810 of relay I81, conductors 239, 248, and 225 and contact members IGIb to the energized conductor I95.

The energization of the last relay I88 in the counting chain causes the energ'zation of shunting switches I16 and I11 which function to in crease the effectiveness of the shunting resistors I i2 and I13 and thereby decrease the tendency for the roll I1 to again overshoot the preset position. The energization of relay 488 also causes the energizntion of relay I98 which opens the circuit to the energizing winding of relay I19 and prevents a subsequent plugging operation in the upward direction.

The circuit for energizing the shunting switches I16 and I1 may be traced from the energized conductor 289 through conductor 2 12, contact members I88c of relay mil/conductor 243, windings of switches I11 and I16 which, are connected in series circuit relation and contact members I55a to the energized conductor I95.

The circuit for energizing relay I98 may be traced from the energized conductors 224 through conductor 244, winding of relay I98, conductor 245, contact members i882) of relay I88 and con-';

ductors 246 and 228 to the energized conductor I95.

It will then be observed that, in the event the roll I1 again overshoots and the contact segment H1 is again caused to engage the high speed contact arm I28, no subsequent energization of the relays I56 through I59 will take place. After the time has elapsed for which the time limit relay I92 has been set, contact members 222 will be opened, the conductor 289 will be tie-ene gized,"

and thereupon the entire control system will be de-energized.

It will be readily understood, however, that any overshooting which occurs after the second plugging operation is of little or no consequence as the degree of overshooting at th s t me. if any exists at all, is very small and usually the roll Will be set in the preset position or very nearly so.

In the event that it is desired to move the roll I1 initially in an upward direction rather than in a downward direction, as described hereinbefore, the operator merely adjusts the dial mechanism 5I to the desired position and the low-speed contact arm I23 and the high-speed contact arm I' 'l are moved in accordance therewith to bridge the contact segments I89 with the contact segments I38 and I42 instead of with the contact segments I39 and I 43.

As far as the operator is concerned, his further operation merely consists in depressing the master control switch 58 and thereby causing the energization of the master control relay I18. In this instant the up master control relay H9 isenergized' and the corresponding up counting chain master relay |8| is energized over circuits which are similar to those traced hereinbefore for the previous down operation. The corresponding relays I83, |84, and I85 in the up counting relay chain areenergized successively to finally energize relay I89 and prevent any further plugging operation on the part of the automatic control system, i

It will be readily apparent that the functioning of the limit switch 4| may be reversed insofar as connecting the screw-down motor 30 in driving connection with the contact arms I23 and I28 rather than with the drums 8| and 89, as shown in this modification of the invention. If the limit switch 4| were so connected, the drums 8| and 89 would then be connected to the driven motor 43 and the sequence of operation would be fundamentally the same as described hereinbefore.

While the invention has been described in connection with controlling the mechanism for adjusting the opening between the rolls of a steel rolling mill, it will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art that the system may be used in many other applications where it is desired to preset the position'of certain pieces of apparatus.

Therefore, since further changes may be made in the above constructionand different embodiments of the invention may be made without de-.

parting from the scope thereof, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

I claim as my invention:

1. In a control system for actuating means for adjusting the position of a movable object, a limit switch operative in accordance with the operation of the actuating means for controlling the operation thereof, means for presetting the limit switch, means operable to permit a limited number of successive reversals of the actuating means to stop the operation of the actuating means at a predetermined position, and means for initiating the operation of the actuating means. 50

justing the position of a movable object, a limit 2. In a control system for motor means for adswitch for controlling the operation of the motor means, the limit switch comprising a low-speed element for controlling the operation of the motor-means over a relatively wide range of positions, a high-speed. element for controlling the operation of the motor means over a relatively narrow range of positions, means on the lowspeed element for transferring the control of the motor means from the low-speed element to the high-speed element, means for presetting the limit switch, means operable to secure a limited number of successive reversals of the motor means to stop the operation of the motor means at a predetermined position, andmanually-operable means for initiating the operation of the motor means.

3. In a control system for motor-operated means for'adjusting the position of a movable object over a given range, means for connecting the motor to a source of energy, a limit switch for controlling the-connection of the motor to the source of energy, the limit switch comprising control.means having driving connection with the motor operated means and corresponding to the entire range of movement thereof and additional control means also having driving connection with the motor operated means and corresponding to any small range of movement thereof, means operable to permit a limited number of reversals of the motor-operated means for accurately positioning the last-named means, contact means'individual to each control means for presetting the limit switch to effect the disconnection of the motor from the source of energy when the motor-operated adjusting means has been moved to a position corresponding to the position of the contact means, means for moving the contactmeans to any. position relative to the control means; manually-operable means for controlling the last-named means from a remote point, and

motor-operated means.

4. In a control system for a motor operated means for adjusting the position of a movable object over a given range, means for connecting the motor to a source of energy, a limit switch for controlling the connection of the motor to the source of energy, the limit switch comprising a low-speed drum having driving connection with the motor operated means and a high-speed drum having driving connection with the low-speed drum, a control ring on the low-speed drum corresponding to the entire range of positions'of the movable object, a' control ring on the high-speed drum corresponding to any small range of movement of the movable object, a transfer ring on the low-speed drum, a transfer relay adapted to be controlled through the transfer ring to effect a transfer of energization of the motor from. the high-speed drum to the low-speed drum, contact means individual to the rings on each of the drums and rotatable relative thereto, and means for presetting the contact means at any position along the rings corresponding to any position of the movable object to effect the disconnecting of the motor means from the source of energy at the time when the movable object is in the position corresponding to the position of the contact means by effecting the energization of the transfer relay and thereby transferring the control of the motor from the control ring on the low-speed drum to the control ring on the highspeed drum. i

5. In a control system for a motor-operated means for adjusting the position of a movable object overa given range, means for connecting the motor to a source of energy, alimit switch for controlling the connection of the motor to the source of energy, a low-speed .drum in the limit switch having driving connection with the motor-operated means, a control ring on the lowspeed drum comprising a pair of contact segments spaced apart by an insulating segment,

the length of each contact segment being proportional'to the entire range of travel of the movable object and bearing a fixed ratio to the length ing driving connection with the low-speed drum,

the rate of rotation of the high-speed drum relative to the rate of rotation of the low-speed drum being a function of the ratio of the lengths of the segments of the control ring on the low-speed drum, a control ring on the high-speed drum comprising a pair of contact segments spaced apart by a pair of insulating segments, the length of each contact segment being proportional to a small range of travel of the movable object, contact means individual to the rings on each of the drums and rotatable relative thereto, and means for presetting the contact means to any position along the rings thereby to effect the connection of the motor means to the source of energy to initiate the movement of the movable object to the position corresponding to the position of the contact means, to effect the change in the connection to the source of energy as controlled by the slow-down ring, to effect the energization of the transfer relay to transfer the control of the connection of the motor means to the source of energy from the control ring on the low-speed drum to the control ring on the high-speed drum, and to effect the disconnection of the motor means from the source of energy at the time when the movable object is in a position corresponding to the position of the contact means.

6. In a control system for a motor-operated means for adjusting the position of a movable object over a given range, means for connecting the motor-operated means to a source of energy, a limit switch for controlling the connectionof the motor-operated means to the source of ener gy, a low-speed drum in the limit switch having driving connection with the motor-operated means, a control ring on the low-speed drumcom prising a pair of contact segments spaced apart by a pair of insulating segments, the length of each contact segment being proportional to the entire range of travel of the movable object and bearing a fixed ratio to the length of the insulating segments, a slow-down ringon the lowspeed drum for controlling the connection tothe source of energy to decrease the speed of the motor-operated means a predetermined time before the connection to the source of energy is opened,

a transfer relay, a transfer ring on the low-speed drum, a control ring on the high-speed drum comprising a pair of contact segments spaced apart by a pair of insulating segments, the length of each contact segment being proportional to a small range of travel of the movable object, a low-speed contact arm independently rotatable relative to the low-speed drum for engaging the rings thereon, a high-speed contact arm rotatable relative to the high-speed drum for engaging the control ring thereon, the high-speed contact arm having driving connection with the low-speed contact arm, the ratio of the rates of rotation being the same as the ratio of the rates of rotation of the drums, and means for presetting the contact armsto anyposition along the rings thereby to efl'ect the connection of the motor-operated meansto thesource of energy to initiate the movement of the movable object to the position corresponding to the position of the contact arms, to effect the change in the connection to the source of energy as controlled by the slow-down ring, to effect the energization of the transfer relay to transfer the control of the connection of the motor-operated means to the source of energy from the control ring on the low-speed drum to the control ring on the high-speed drum, and to effeet the disconnection of the motor-operated means from the source of energy at the time when themovable object is in a position corresponding to the position of the contact arms.

7. In a control system for motor-operated means for adjusting the position of a movable object over a given range, means for connecting the motor to a source of energy, a limit switch for controlling the connection of the motor to the source of energy, control means in the limit switch having driving connection with the motor control means for presetting the limit switch to effect the disconnection of the motor from the source of energy when the motor-operated means has been moved to a position corresponding to the position of the contact means, means for moving the contact means to any position relative to the control means to effect the operation of the motor in a direction corresponding thereto; means for preventing further energization of the motor after energization thereof for a predetermined number of times for a single setting of the contact means, manually-operable means for controlling the contact moving means from a remote point, and additional manually-operable means at the remote point for initiating the operation of the motor.

8. In a control system for a work device having an adjustable element driving means for the work device, motor-operated means for adjusting the position of the movable element over a given range, means for connecting the motor to a source of energy, a limit switch for controlling the connection of the motor to the source of energy, the limit switch comprising control means having driving connection with the motor-operated means and corresponding to the entire range of movement thereof in either direction, said limit switch comprising additional control means having driving connection with the motoroperated means and corresponding to any small range of movement thereof in either direction, contact means individual to each control means for presetting the limit switch to effect the disconnection of the motor from the source of energy when the motor-operated means has been moved to a position corresponding to the position of the contact means, means for moving the contact means to any position relative to the control means to effect the operation of the motor in a direction corresponding thereto, means for preventing further energization of the motor after energization thereof a predetermined number of times for a single setting of the contact means, manually-operable means for controlling the contact moving means from a remote point, additional manually-operable means at the remote point for initiating the operation of the motoroperated means, and control means associated with the driving means for the work device for preventing the operation of the motor until after a predetermined point is reached in the cycle of operation of the driving means.

9. In combination, a mechanism for adjusting the position of a movable object over a given range, a plurality of motors for actuating the adjusting mechanism, relay means for connectingthe motors in parallel circuit relation and to a source '01 energy, additional relay means for connecting the motors in series circuit relation and to the source of energy, a limit switch for controlling the operation of the relay means, the limit switch comprising a low-speed drum having driving connection with one of the motors and a high-speed drum having driving connection with the low-speed drum, a control ring on the low-speed drum corresponding to substan, tially the entire range of.movement of the object for controlling the operation or the first-- imentioned relay means, a slow-down ring on the low-speed drum for controlling the operation of the second-named relay means, a transfer relay.

a transfer ring on the low-speed drum for controlling the operation oi. the transfer relay, a control ring on the high-speed drum corresponding to any small range of movement of the object for also controlling the operation of the firstmentioned relay means, contact means individual to the rings on each of the drums and rotatable relative thereto, and means for presetting the contact means to any position along the rings thereby to effect the energization of the relay means to energize the motors in parallel circuit relation to initiate the movement of the object to the position corresponding to the position of the contact; means, to eflect the de-energization of the second-named relay means after a predetermined number ofrevolutions of the motors to connect the motors in series circuit'relation, to eil'ect the energization of the transfer relayto transfer the control of the'flrst-named relay means to the control ring on the high-speed drum, and to eflect the de-energization of the first-mentioned relay means to disconnect the motors from thesource of energy at the time when the object is in a position corresponding-to the position of the contact means.

P. TAUG 

